ALPENFORUM was founded in January 1995 as an international and independent, Nonprofit Organisation located in Murau (Austria).

Main purposes and aims of ALPENFORUM are the promotion and implementation of Sustainable Development in the (European) Alps, the support of Alpine socio-economic living condtions, the conservation and protection of sensitive Alpine ecosystems and nature capital as well as cultural values and inheritance. Further subjects of high priority discussed within ALPENFORUM concern the problem of global climate change and its consequences for mountain regions, in particular alpine glaciers.

A further important target is the integration and cooperation of states belonging to the Alpine Arc based on mutual respect for the specific character of individual regions and local circumstances.

Members of ALPENFORUM are 

• representatives of industry, small and middle sized enterprise, tourism, handicraft and trade
• Independent professionals (e.g. physicians, lawyers)
• Representatives of science and technology
• Environmental experts and representatives of Conservation Groups
• Representatives of agriculture, mountain farming and forestry
• Political and administrative representatives and authorities of Communities, States and other governmental or private organisations
• Interested citizens

A wide range of conferences, symposia, lectures and specific projects on ecologic, economic and sociocultural aspects of Sustainable Development in the Alps have already been covered and dealt  with e.g.

• sustainable economic and ecologic developement
• the restoration of hazel grouse and its habitat in the Alps
• the restructuring of middle size, service oriented enterprise in the Alps
• chances and opportunities of telecommunication in mountain regions
• the significance of the Alpine Convention 
• the European Water Directive Framework and its significance for alpine water management
• wood as a renewable construction source in the Alps
• the management of National Parks in Austria
• “Living in the Alps” - economic implications and sociocultural implications.
• ecologic, economic, technical and social significance of wood in mountain regions
• trafic and transit transport
• sustainable tourism
• alpine wildlife

Further subjects discussed concern present and forthcoming developments in alpine tourism and winter sport, alpine disaster management, the perception of developments within the Alps by its inhabitants, health management in recreational  projects, and the presentation of cultural events.

Much of this information can be found in ALPENFORUM`s Website http://www.ALPENFORUM.org

but (for the time being) only in German.

ALPENFORUMs work is completely honorary and operates on a tight budget. Financing is based on (low) standard membership fees and (comparatively) high annual fixed contributions from enterprise members and other organisations.

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